Heads up commuter, more “detour” signs are in your future.
Construction for the Atlanta Streetcar project will close down all of Luckie Street near the Aderhold Learning center this week as workers continue building new rail tracks and power lines throughout the city, according to MARTA.
The new installments come after a busy first month in May when groundwork for the 80-foot sections of tracks and overhead power lines forced closures throughout Peachtree Street, Edgewood and Andrew Young Industrial Boulevard.
Police, who are helping direct traffic, are rerouting students around the more congested areas of Luckie Street and Edgewood, advising drivers to follow alternative detour routes instead.
To be in full operation by May of next year, construction for the Atlanta Streetcar Project will not be stopping any time soon.
“It can get in the way,” sophomore Lenataa Goka said. “[Panther Express] had to stop it’s green route short at the Lofts because of construction.”
Streetcars could be the future for Atlanta’s transportation system.
According to Atlanta Streetcar Inc., the system could boost ridership on MARTA and regional bus services by $1.2 million, encourage tourism throughout the downtown area and connect the aquarium to Sweet Auburn Avenue and the Peachtree corridor, made up of Atlanta’s busiest streets.
Still, Goka says the Streetcar will not only help commuter students, but those on campus as well by giving them another way to get around the community.
Panther Express has been working with the Streetcar team to ensure the new system is on par with the university.
“The Panther Express routes were changed last summer in anticipation of construction activities,” Russell H. Seagren, director of facilities planning, said. “Georgia State is not a financial contributor to the streetcar project, but its staff has contributed extensive time and effort to coordinate construction activities with university programs.”
The Streetcar would raise $15 billion in local spending and $225 million in property taxes within the first five years of operation, helping transform the 14.5-mile long Peachtree corridor into one of the world’s “premier boulevards,” according to the city.
“Gentrification is going to happen,” student Jordan McDuffie said. “ The Streetcar is going to bring more business and people to the area.”
In a recent survey by Atlanta Streetcar Inc., 67 percent of office workers said they would be in favor of riding a streetcar for lunch, 56 percent would ride the Streetcar four or more times per week and 19 percent said they might even consider giving up one of their family vehicles.
“I think the streetcar project will be nice for tourists, students, faculty and staff,” sociology professor Dr. Dawn Baunach said. “[And] anyone who wants to visit other parts of downtown.”
